The armed movements in Darfur have adopted a position of neutrality in the face of the war that has been raging since April 15. Considering the current struggle as “absurd”, they refuse to take sides between yesterday’s partners and the regular army. However, the military and paramilitary forces are trying to rally them to their cause.
Despite their participation in the Juba peace agreement in 2020, the armed movements of Darfur blame the army for not having effectively protected the population against the atrocities committed by the Rapid Support Forces. They also deplore the delay in the creation of the civil protection force provided for in the agreement.
Faced with this situation, Minni Minnaoui, leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement and current governor of Darfur, initiated the creation of a joint force in partnership with the Justice and Equality Movement and the Sudan Liberation Movement – Transitional Council. The purpose of this force is to protect Darfur as well as humanitarian and medical aid convoys.
However, an armed movement in Darfur, the Sudan-North Liberation Movement, led by Mostapha Tambour, refuses for the moment the principle of neutrality. He recently fought alongside the Regular Army against the Rapid Support Forces. For its part, another movement, the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Sudan-North, led by Abdelaziz el-Helou and not a signatory to the peace agreement, is also engaged against the army.
It is therefore essential to closely monitor developments in Darfur, as some armed movements remain neutral while others engage in fighting alongside the regular army. This complexity illustrates the challenges of the region and the importance of finding lasting solutions to ensure peace and security in Darfur